Director's Welcome

Welcome to the Programs in Occupational Therapy

The Programs in Occupational Therapy at Columbia University (CUOT) were established in 1941 and are part of the Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, one of the nation’s oldest medical schools. CUOT has a rich history of innovation and growth that began when Columbia University’s Extension Program launched a three-year diploma program leading to a Professional Certificate in Occupational Therapy. Over the past 80 years, the programs have transformed and expanded to now include: the entry-level Master of Science program; the dual-degree (entry-level MS/MPH) program in collaboration with the Mailman School of Public Health; the Post-Professional Doctor of Occupational Therapy (OT) programs; and the Doctor of Education in Movement Sciences with a Specialization in OT program in collaboration with Teachers College Columbia University.

Our mission is to educate and prepare occupational therapists to be leaders in promoting health, well-being, and adaptation through occupation as practitioners, consultants, educators, advocates, and scholars in a variety of socio-cultural, geographic, community, and institutional contexts.

We aim to be supportive and responsive to the continuously changing needs of NYC and wider community through integrating our scholarship and teaching with the vast resources of the metropolitan area. A firm commitment to our profession’s core values of altruism, equality, freedom, justice, dignity, truth, and prudence are the foundation of all that we do, including striving for an inclusive academic community that supports all members regardless of identity, status, or attributes.

The programs' various curricula, developed by our world-renowned faculty and researchers, are built on the premise that attainment of competence and scholarship requires that once having been provided with the resources, students learn how to learn independently and collaboratively. This emphasis upon both independent and collaborative learning is viewed as the most effective mechanism for preparing students to practice in an evolving health care system. The programs also provide a foundation for graduates to assume responsibility for lifelong learning and for contributing to the growth and evolution of the occupational therapy profession.

Graduates of the programs are professionals who serve as agents of change in clinical and community-based practice, advocates, leaders, future educators that apply the science of teaching and learning to train the next generation of OT practitioners, and scholars that continuously add to our professions growing body of knowledge.

Come join our growing community!
Dr. Dawn M. Nilsen EdD, OTR/L, FAOTA